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Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has announced a reform for the public service, saying the sector continues to overspend by more than K300 million a year.

Addressing the business community in Port Moresby yesterday, O’Neill said: “We are going to have a large reform in the public service structure. Public Service continues to overspend over K300 million a year on maintaining a public service structure in our country.

“This sort of expenditure is unsustainable for Papua New Guinea.
“That is why a large reform package will be set up where it will mean we will streamline some of the departments so that they can perform better with other departments that

are related and, we will want them to be bit more efficient, quality-driven. That would mean we may have to retrench some of our people into sectors where they are needed most.

“We are open to consultation during the reforms.
“Business and government need to work together for better outcomes.

“Our government is proud to have the mandate to continue driving positive change.
“We are grateful for the support given by our people to continue our core policy agenda.
“We are also grateful for the support of the business community for our government.
“We will again be a business-friendly government and consult with all stakeholders.”

The Hagen Show was first before PNG’s Independence as an event to unify tribes.

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The first Mount Hagen Cultural Show was staged in 1961, while PNG was still under the colonial rule of Australia. Many different tribes from the Highlands gathered together in an effort to share their cultural experiences with each other, bringing a calming effect to inter-tribal conflicts and animosities.

Since the first show, there have of course been technological advancements, political developments, and major paradigm shifts; namely, PNG’s independence from Australia in 1975. Mount Hagen has boomed in the past 40 years, and is now the third largest city in PNG. While the tribal focus of the show remains the same, the event has been made more tourist-friendly. A mix of tribal traditions and modern entertainment are designed to attract international and domestic travelers, and there is now a monetary prize for the winning cultural group. This ensures that the singsings are a colorful, competitive affair, with performers drumming, chanting and dancing at a pace that leaves even the audience breathless.

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Now local entertainers from the modern music scene also perform during the show. Arts and crafts will also be on display apart from the cultural groups which will be preforming

Don’t miss out on this exciting cultural event in one of the Highlands regions biggest commercial township!

HEAD of delegation and EU ambassador to PNG Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyroplous says agriculture, fisheries and forestry can offer the country more export potential.
He said many countries were now using trade to develop and PNG could do so too.
“These are three key renewable sectors that can offer PNG more. Perhaps not through the form of special agriculture and business leases but with the landowners fully involved as co-beneficiaries,” Argyroplous said.
“There is no doubt that there is a global demand for sustainable green products from forestry, fisheries and agriculture – which is set to steeply increase.”
He said global growth was expected to be generated by emerging economies particularly in Asia.
Argyroplous was speaking during the launching of the national trade policy (2017-2032) last week.
“The European Union acknowledges the efforts and advancements for PNG promoting the whole government approach to address the issue,” he said.
“Based on these experiences, the European Union encourages PNG to play a more prominent role and support other countries to fight against illegal fishing in the Pacific.”
He said the EU was assisting and strengthening the capacity of the Department of Trade, Commerce and Industry “through inclusive progress where we involve all stakeholders, private sector and civil society who are beneficiaries of the policies”.

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ROYAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSTABULARYMEDIA RELEASEMonday August 14th, 2017
My conscience is clear says Police Commissioner Baki
I am truly amazed by the comments coming from the public as well as from our elected leaders regarding the Prime Minister’s case and his warrant of arrest as well as calls for my resignation.
I have stated that I welcome the decision of the courts. However, as you would have gathered, the Court has issued a further stay on the warrant, thus preventing any police action.
I have stated that I will invite the Prime Minister to come in for an interview. The warrant of arrest is alive and will only end when the Prime Minister comes in for the interview.
That is my position and I will not change it. I want everyone to appreciate where I am coming from with regards to this particular issue.
Regardless of the allegations and the Warrant of Arrest Peter O’Neill is still an elected national leader and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. Respect must be accorded to him regardless. Critics are calling on the police to arrest him on the streets like a common criminal. The presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in a court of law and his status as Prime Minister dictates that we treat him with a certain level of decency. Hence I will not arrest him in the streets but invite him to the police station where he will be interviewed.
Everyone seems to be passing judgement on the Prime Minister already. As a citizen he has exercised his right and taken the matter to the courts. That must be respected until the courts make a decision on his appeal.
As for the police, is it too much to ask that I, as the Commissioner of Police be fully briefed prior to the invitation of the Prime Minister, especially in light of the counter-allegations being levelled against my policemen. I want assurance that I have legs to stand on when we bring the Prime Minister in for the interview because at the end of the day I will be held responsible.
For some reason Director Fraud and Anti Corruption Chief Superintendent Mathew Damaru and his team have stubbornly refused to cooperate with the Commissioner’s Office over the last three years and have done their best to keep the file a secret from me and my predecessor. I have been given an executive brief but that is not the same thing as having access to and appreciating the file itself.
I am confident that the case would not have dragged on for so long had Mr Damaru made available the file either to myself or to the former police commissioner.
My integrity and reputation is on the line. I have worked hard to build it up over the last 45 years. I will do my job. I urge all the critics to stop being judgmental and give me the benefit of doubt.
Thank you.Gari L. Baki, CBE, CStJ, DPS, QPMCommissioner of PoliceRoyal Papua New Guinea Constabulary

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Forest Minister Douglas Tomuriesa, Lands and Physical Planning Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Police Minister Jelta Wong, have been called on to confirm the cancellation of all SABL – Special Agricuture and Business Leases.

“We congratulate the new ministers on their appointments, but we are urging them to immediately address the SABL issue which has been plaguing our country for far too long”, says Eddie Tanago, campaign co-ordinator for the community advocacy group ACT NOW!

“In March, the Prime Minister publicly declared all SABL are unlawful and their cancellation was publicly confirmed by the Minister for Lands in April. Both men said any leaseholders remaining on SABL land were there illegally.

“However, we are receiving reports from around the country that foreign companies are still occupying SABL land, that logging and oil palm operations are still ongoing and police are intimidating and harassing the lawful landowners.

“We are calling on the new Ministers to confirm all the SABL have been cancelled, all SABL logging operations stopped and all police personnel withdrawn from the SABL areas,” he said.